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Zebulon board opens hearing on rezoning for equipment storage; commissioners warn of broader allowed uses
Summary
The Zebulon joint meeting opened a public hearing on a request to change a parcel from suburban commercial to light industrial to permit equipment storage for applicant Sam Nawar; commissioners voiced concern that rezoning would broaden permitted uses and could allow locally unwanted industrial uses near residences. The hearing closed with no public comments and the item was referred to the planning board.
Zebulon planning staff opened a joint public hearing on a zoning map amendment that would change a site’s future-land-use designation from suburban commercial to light industrial, recommending the board refer the matter to the planning board for further consideration.
Planning staff told commissioners the requested amendment is intended to align the zoning map with the town’s future land-use map and noted that changing the designation to light industrial would alter the principal use table and allow additional uses that are not currently permitted on the site.
Commissioners urged close review of the principal use table (pages 31–34 of the packet) and warned the rezoning could permit ‘‘P’’ or ‘‘S’’ uses under light industrial that would not require the board’s separate approval if a new owner later sought to operate a different business on the lot. One commissioner listed examples of potentially permitted uses, including light manufacturing, metal fabrication, recycling centers and junkyards, and urged care given the proximity of an existing residential development.
The applicant, Sam Nawar, identified himself at the podium and told the board he did not have a formal presentation. "No, we're not tearing down anything. We're not adding at the time being anything except some equipment, mainly U-Haul equipment for rental purposes," he said, describing the proposal as use of the site for storing equipment tied to his existing business locations.
Board members asked about missing materials in the packet: Commissioner Rowell noted that the neighborhood meeting worksheet was omitted and the applicant said staff could be provided a copy. Planning staff explained that a map amendment (sometimes called rezoning) changes the list of allowed uses for a property and that subsequent administrative permits—zoning compliance and building permits—would still be required before any business operations could begin.
The chair opened the public hearing, called for comments in favor and opposition, and reported there were no in-person speakers and no email comments to read into the record. The public hearing was closed and the matter was referred to the planning board for consideration.
Next steps: the planning board will consider the referral and make a recommendation back to the Board of Commissioners. The town did not take a final vote on the rezoning at the joint meeting.
